Legend of the Škoda Mountain Bike at Macpac Motatapu

Macpac Motatapu is
a day for everyone, with all abilities, all ages and all
backgrounds catered for across the six events on offer.
Douglas Bond is testament to that, the 83-year-old will
carry the tag of oldest on race day* and ‘legend’ status
when he takes to the ŠKODA Mountain Bike event, but in
truth he isn’t sure what all the fuss is about.

Born in
Jersey in the Channel Islands, Doug came to New Zealand in
1956 and not long after settled in Balclutha where he began
a career in the food industry, spending 30 odd years running
the kitchen at the freezing works with his wife May, before
they established and ran motels and a highway diner.

And
while he is about to take on the 47km ŠKODA Mountain Bike,
he doesn’t quite go so far as to call himself a bike
rider, but over the past 15 years or so has dabbled in a few
events and recreational riding.

“The first actual ride I
went on was about 15 years or so back, a young lady who
worked for me wanted to go on a particular ride, so I went
with her. It was the Milton Jailbreak, I have done that
about three times, and I’ve ridden at Lake Tekapo, the
Hawea Epic and I have done the odd other ride. I have done
Motatapu before and a few others down south at Taieri and
Dunedin.”

Bond has always been a keen sportsman, over
the years enjoying windsurfing, canoeing, yachting and some
power boat racing. He doesn’t have a serious training plan
ahead of Macpac Motatapu however, he just enjoys the chance
to get out when he can.

“I haven’t done a terrific
amount of bike riding, I used to ride to work a few years
ago when I was working at Telford Campus at Lincoln
University. I was head cook there and then at an old
people’s home in Balclutha. Nowadays I just go out for the
odd ride during the day.”

He recalls his only previous
ride in the ŠKODA Mountain Bike at Macpac Motatapu with
mixed emotions and a bit of a giggle, remembering he also
went for a swim…

“It was quite a good ride, although I
might have ended up in the river, it was quite good though,
nice and cool and I enjoyed it.”

Bond’s amazing
efforts have captured the attention of the event sponsor,
with ŠKODA including Doug and his riding friend and former
workmate Judy Nicholls in the official Team ŠKODA for the
day, decking them out in official riding gear and inviting
them to the hospitality tent after the ride.

Former
Commonwealth Games gold medalist and World Champion Alison
Shanks is an ambassador for ŠKODA, and says Doug and Judy
are exactly what recreational cycling should be all
about.

“Douglas is an inspiration to us all and proves
that age is no barrier. Doug and Judy epitomize what Team
ŠKODA is all about; a fun team environment for anyone who
loves cycling.

“It is wonderful to support Doug and
Judy on their big race day, they are a wonderful example of
friendship created and adventures shared through their love
for cycling and Team ŠKODA are proud to have them as part
of our team on Saturday."

Doug does wonder about the fuss
but is happy to be something of a role model for others of a
similar age, encouraging people to stay fit and healthy and
do what they can.

“It is a bit silly all this attention,
but it is quite good. People should get out and exercise if
they are that way inclined, you only get one chance at this
don’t you!”

Entries remain open for all events at
Macpac Motatapu this weekend, for further information visit
the website www.motatapu.com

The ŠKODA Mountain
Bike is one of six events on offer at the 14th edition of
the iconic Macpac Motatapu. Overall entries are now well
over 4,000 with 25 countries represented as the popularity
of the largest one-day multi-sport events in New Zealand
continues to grow.

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